Indicia retaining means for timepiece dials



. 1952 A. FLUCKIGER 2,606,418

INDICIA RETAINING MEAHS FOR TIMEPIECE DIALS Filed May l, 1948 /N VENTOR A TTORNEV Patented Aug. 12, 1952 INDICIA RETAININ G MEANS FOR; TIMEPIECE DIALS Andr Fliickiger, Saint-Imier, Switzerland, as-

signor to Fluckiger & Cie, Saint-Imier, Switzerland Application May 1, 1948, Serial No. 24,492 In Switzerland February 24, 1948 3 Clams.

My invention relates to dials for timepieces. There are conventional dials for timepieces in which certain indicia are formed by precious stones, especially diamond baguets, which are case, the holders will be adapted to the shape of the gems used as indicia.

In a dial such as described above, the precious stones contrast distinctly with the surface of the held in a setting and form an independent unit dial and the elegance of the Watch is improved. therewith which is fitted as a whole into the dial The illustrated manner of fixing the gems by plate, e. g., by means of feet. This manner of means of a plurality of small holders for each mountng indicia is not only very expensive but gem i much cheaper than the hitherto used impairs the appearance of the dial. The setmethod.

tings make the indicia bulky. While I have described and illustrated one The object of my invention is to provide a construction for dials of the above mentioned type which has a better appearance and avoids the objectionable features set forth above by fixing the precious Stones to the face of the dial plate by a plurality of miniature holders for each stone, said holders individually having feet extending through the dial plate to the reverse side of which they are fixed.

Other objects and features will be apparent as the following description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, illustrating one example of my invention. It is, however, understood that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, as various changes in the shape, proportions, and assemblage of the parts may he resorted to without departing from the principle of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a dial according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a partial section along the line II-II in Fig. 1 on a larger scale, and

Fig. 3 is a section along the line III-III in Fig. 2.

The plate of the dial is designated by i. It carries indicia as generally used in dial making, some of which, designated by 2, are formed of diamond baguets 3 fixed to the dial plate I by means of holders or catches 4 in the shane of small Caps gripping the smaller edges or sides of the stones. These holders 4 have longitudinal portions or feet 5 having angular cross-section and extending through the dial plate I and ending in a recess 6 on the reverse side of the dial plate where they are bent angularly as shown in Fig. 2 to form an end portion engaging the reverse side of the plate. The holders in lieu of embodiment of my invention, I do not Wish to unnecessarily limit the scope of this invention, but reserve the right to make such modifications and re-arrangement of the parts as may come within the purview of the accompanying claims.

What I claim is:

1. A dial for timepieces, comprising a dial plate having a face and a reverse side, precious stones placed on said face, and a pluralit of individual holding means for each stone, each holding means having a plurality of longitudinal portions individually extending through said dial plate and being bent angularly to one side to form an end portion engaging said reverse side.

2. A dial for timepieces, comprising a dial plate having a face and a reverse side, indicia made of precious Stones placed on said face, recesses in said reverse side, and a plurality of holding means for each indicium, each holding means having longitudinal portions extending through said dial plate and comprising an angularly bent end portion received in one of said recesses.

3. A dial for timepieces, comprising a dial plate having a face and a reverse side, indicia consisting of haguets and placed on said face, and. two holding means for each indicium each holding means engaging one of the short sides of the baguet and having longitudinal portions of rectangular cross-section extending through said dial plate and having angularly bent end portions engaging said reverse side.

ANDR FL'CKIGER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS forming Caps might have any other suitable Number Name Date shape. Instead of fixing the holders to the dial 30 n. 1871 plate as shown in the drawings, this may be done "Ligj-1 3,

n dfierent other ways. &421961 Group e a u Sem. 23, 1947 In the example shown, the lateral edges of the gems are parallel. They might, however, FOREIGN PATENTS have any other shape and the holders for fixing Number Country t them might have different dimensions. In any 74,040 Switzerland Jan. 2, 1917 

